What is the difference between the S strain and the R strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

What is the difference between the S strain and the R strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae?
  1. The S strain is virulent while the R strain is not
  2. The S strain produces smooth colonies while the R strain produces rough colonies
  3. The R strain is virulent while the S strain is not
  4. The R strain produces smooth colonies while the S strain produces rough colonies

Solution

When Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are grown on a culture plate, some produce smooth shiny colonies (S) while others produce rough colonies (R). The S strain bacteria have a mucous (polysaccharide) coat, while R strain does not.

Asked in: NCERT

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